The Soviet T-34 is the benchmark by which all other World War II tanks are measured. Typical of Russian war machines, the T-34 is simple and rugged – able to function efficiently in incredibly harsh weather and battlefield conditions. While not the fastest or most heavy tank in the Red Army's arsenal, Soviet designers struck a winning balance with the T-34, equipping the medium tank with suitable weaponry and armor while still allowing for acceptable mobility and speed.

One of the keys to the success of the T-34 was the fact that Soviet designers continued to develop and improve the T-34 design over time. This example, a T-34/85, was the result of encounters with large German tanks during the Battle of Kursk in mid-1943. The up-rated T-34 had a large 85 mm gun and room in its heavily-armored turret for up to three crewmen.

Even with improvements, the T-34-85 was not equal to a German Panther or Tiger tank, but the Soviets outnumbered their enemies with sheer numbers. More T-34s were produced during World War II than any other tank by any nation, with over 57,000 built by the end of war in Europe. After World War II, the T-34 production continued in Russia and Soviet-controlled nations. The last of over 84,000 T-34s drove off the assembly line in 1958.

The FHC's T-34 was built at the end of World War II. A Czech restoration crew mated the tank's chassis with the engine and running gear from a Czechoslovakian VT-34 armored recovery tank. The vehicle underwent further restoration in the United States.